Sánchez expects to sign minor league contract
The San Francisco Giants’ aggressive pursuit of minor league free agents continued Tuesday as the team has reportedly agreed to terms with former Chicago White Sox second baseman Yolmer Sánchez.
The deal was first reported by Ken Rosenthal.
Sánchez, 27, has spent the last three seasons as the White Sox starting second baseman, but was non-tendered this winter despite taking home the 2019 American League Gold Glove at his position.
A switch-hitting infielder who has the versatility to play both second and third, Sánchez will enter spring training with a chance to secure the starting job at second base or fill a utility infield spot on the major league roster. The Giants are confident Mauricio Dubón will play a significant role in the infield this year, but Sánchez’s signing gives Dubón competition while also offering manager Gabe Kapler the opportunity to move the speedy Dubón around the diamond.
Free agent infielder Yolmer Sanchez will get a look with the Giants during spring training.
Sánchez’s offensive profile is relatively similar to former Giants second baseman Joe Panik, but Sanchez strikes out far more frequently than Panik. Over the past two seasons, Sánchez posted an OPS + of 80 while Panik posted an OPS + of 77.
Through his six-year major league career, Sánchez owns relatively even splits at the plate and has produced a slightly- higher slugging percentage as a left-handed hitter (.363) than as a right-handed hitter (.338). In 2019, however, Sánchez was much better as a righty as his
.738 OPS was 132 points higher than his .606 mark as a lefty.
Sánchez’s minor league deal doesn’t guarantee him a spot on the 40-man roster, but if the Giants plan to keep him on their Opening Day roster, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi will need to designate a player for assignment.
Sánchez is the fourth known infielder on a minor league contract who is expected to receive an invitation to major league spring this year as he joins Cristhian Adames, Zach Green and Drew Robinson.